the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for he

Young men who are drawing up a list of things to do this Valentine Day might like to add a pointer. If the lady insists on paying her share of the bill, allow her to do so. You wouldn't want Cupid to spread his wings and fly out the door.

Not long ago, an upmarket establishment in North Carolina witnessed a bizarre ending to what was a perfectly good evening for a young couple. "Apparently, the lady had insisted beforehand that she would pick up her share of the tab, but when the bill arrived, the gentleman settled it," says Orlando Vaz, the restaurant manager. "She argued for a bit, then got so overwhelmed at not being allowed to do so that she began sobbing and left the place. Her partner had to console her and bring her back."

Thankfully, most dinners do not culminate in such high drama, because both partners know it will end equitably. The lady and her man will share the cost.

Hardly any couples go Dutch, for that means each pays his or her own expenses. Most of them split the final amount.

Doing so brings ease and comfort into a relationship and neither partner feels he is been taken advantage of, so he does not have to pick the low-priced items on the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for her

lina witnessed a bizarre ending to what was a perfectly good evening for a young couple. "Apparently, the lady had insisted beforehand that she would pick up her share of the tab, but when the bill arrived, the gentleman settled it," says Orlando Vaz, the restaurant manager. "She argued for a bit, then got so overwhelmed at not being allowed to do so that she began sobbing and left the place. Her partner had to console her and bring her back."

Thankfully, most dinners do not culminate in such high drama, because both partners know it will end equitably. The lady and her man will share the cost.

Hardly any couples go Dutch, for that means each pays his or her own expenses. Most of them split the final amount.

Doing so brings ease and comfort into a relationship and neither partner feels he is been taken advantage of, so he does not have to pick the low-priced items on the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for he

then got so overwhelmed at not being allowed to do so that she began sobbing and left the place. Her partner had to console her and bring her back."

Thankfully, most dinners do not culminate in such high drama, because both partners know it will end equitably. The lady and her man will share the cost.

Hardly any couples go Dutch, for that means each pays his or her own expenses. Most of them split the final amount.

Doing so brings ease and comfort into a relationship and neither partner feels he is been taken advantage of, so he does not have to pick the low-priced items on the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for he

the cost.

Hardly any couples go Dutch, for that means each pays his or her own expenses. Most of them split the final amount.

Doing so brings ease and comfort into a relationship and neither partner feels he is been taken advantage of, so he does not have to pick the low-priced items on the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for he

the menu or skip dessert.

Ladies' prerogative

Interestingly, it is the ladies who become uncomfortable at the thought of allowing the man to pay for them. The woman of the new generation still appreciates common courtesies from her male friend, like holding the door open for her or waiting for her to be seated, but if he were to prevent her from paying her share of the bill she might be offended.

Eighteen-year-old arts student Supriya Menon thinks it is "unaffordable and unfair" that the boy pays for the girl, especially if they go out often.

"It may be a gentlemanly thing to do, but no girl would want to take advantage of her partner.

"In fact, a friend of mine did go to coffee shops and movies with her boyfriend, but she always paid for her own meal and her tickets," Supriya says.

Radio jockey Sana, says that it is not difficult to share the cost because, in any case, youngsters do not visit expensive restaurants during the early stages of a relationship. "They mostly go to coffee shops or fast food joints. A cosy dinner is a personal and special experience, and by the time a couple reaches that stage, they have achieved a particular level of comfort. Of course, they continue to share the expenses."

Striking out for independence

Common sense dictates that the modern, independent girl will pay her share. Especially if both partners are college-goers subsisting on limited pocket money.

Being financiall